2.1.3 Hard Disk Space Requirements

This section lists system requirements for Windows platforms that use the NT File System (NTFS). Oracle strongly recommends that you install the Oracle database home (Oracle database binaries, trace files, and so on) on Oracle ACFS or NTFS; the database files themselves must be placed on Oracle ASM if using Oracle ACFS; otherwise they can be placed on NTFS. Usage of Oracle ACFS and Oracle ASM or NTFS instead of FAT32 is recommended to ensure security of these files.

The NTFS system requirements listed in this section are more accurate than the hard disk values reported by the Oracle Universal Installer Summary window. The Summary window does not include accurate values for disk space, the space required to create a database, or the size of compressed files that are expanded on the hard drive.

The hard disk requirements for Oracle Database components include 32 MB to install Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and Oracle Universal Installer on the partition where the operating system is installed. If sufficient space is not detected, installation fails and an error message appears.

The figures in these tables include the starter database. FAT32 space requirements are slightly higher.

Table 2-3 Windows 32-Bit Disk Space Requirements on NTFS

Installation Type

TEMP Space

SYSTEM_DRIVE:\ Program Files\Oracle

Oracle Home

Data Files *

Total

Typical Install

500 MB

4.0 MB

3.6 GB

1.9 GB

5.99 GB

Advanced Install: All Editions

500 MB

4.0 MB

3.6 GB **

1.9 GB **

5.99 GB **

Table 2-4 Windows x64 Disk Space Requirements on NTFS

Installation Type

TEMP Space

SYSTEM_DRIVE:\ Program Files\Oracle

Oracle Home

Data Files *

Total

Typical Install

500 MB

4.0 MB

3.80 GB

1.9 GB

6.22 GB

Advanced Install: All Editions

500 MB

4.55 MB

3.80 GB **

1.9 GB **

6.22 GB **

* Refers to the contents of the admin,cfgtoollogs,flash_recovery_area, and oradata directories in the ORACLE_BASE directory.

** This size can be higher depending on the installation options selected, such as languages or additional components. If you choose to install Oracle Database with automated backups enabled, include at least 2 GB extra for data file disk space.

2.1.4 Verifying Hardware Requirements

To ensure that the system meets these requirements, follow these steps:

Determine the physical RAM size.

For example, on a Windows Server 2003 computer, double-click System in the Windows Control Panel and click the General tab.

On a Windows Server 2008 R2 computer, click System and Security in the Windows Control Panel, then click System.

If the size of the physical RAM installed in the system is less than the required size, then you must install more memory before continuing.

Determine the size of the configured virtual memory (also known as paging file size).

For example, on a Windows 2003 computer, double-click System, click the Advanced tab, and click Settings in the Performance section. Then click the Advanced tab.

On a Windows Server 2008 R2 computer, click System and Security, then click System, click Advanced System Settings, click the Advanced tab on System Properties page, and then click Settings in the Performance section. Then select the Advanced tab on Performance Options page.

The virtual memory is listed in the Virtual Memory section.

If necessary, see your operating system documentation for information about how to configure additional virtual memory.

Determine the amount of free disk space on the system.

For example, on a Windows 2003 computer, double-click My Computer, right-click the drive where the Oracle software is to be installed, and select Properties.

Determine the amount of disk space available in the temp directory. This is equivalent to the total amount of free disk space, minus what is required for the Oracle software to be installed.

On Windows 32-bit, if there is less than 500 MB of disk space available in the temp directory, then delete all unnecessary files. If the temp disk space is still less than 500 MB, then set the TEMP or TMP environment variable to point to a different hard drive location.

On Windows x64, if there is less than 500 MB of disk space available in the temp directory, then delete all unnecessary files. If the temp disk space is still less than 125 MB, then set the TEMP or TMP environment variable to point to a different hard drive location.

For example, to change the environment variables on a Windows Server 2003 computer, double-click System, click the Advanced tab, and click Environment Variables.

On a Windows Server 2008 R2 computer, click System and Security, then click System, click Advanced System Settings, click the Advanced tab on System Properties page, and then click Environment Variables.

2.3.2 Oracle Services for Microsoft Transaction Server

Oracle Services for Microsoft Transaction Server running on Windows Vista requires a minimum of Service Pack 1 or higher.

2.3.3 Web Browser Support

You do not require a web browser to install Oracle Database. However, web browsers are required to access documentation, and to use Oracle Enterprise Manager Database Control and Oracle Application Express. Web browsers must support JavaScript, and the HTML 4.0 and CSS 1.0 standards.

2.3.4 Default Share Configuration Requirement

The prerequisite checks during Oracle Database installation require that the system drive on your computer has default share configured on it. Use the net use command to verify, for example:

C:\> net use \\hostname\c$
The command completed successfully

Ensure that the current user, the user in the Administrator group, has all the privileges on the default share.

2.4 Reviewing Operating System Security Common Practices

Secure operating systems are an important basis for general system security. Ensure that your operating system deployment is in compliance with common security practices as described in your operating system vendor security guide.

2.5 Confirming Host Name Resolution

Typically, the computer on which you want to install Oracle Database is connected to a network. Ensure that the computer host name is resolvable through a Domain Name System (DNS), a network information service (NIS), or a centrally-maintained TCP/IP host file, such as /etc/hosts. Use the ping command to ensure that your computer host name is resolvable. For example:

If your computer host name does not resolve, then contact your system administrator.

2.6 Checking the Network Setup

Typically, the computer on which you want to install Oracle Database is connected to the network, has local storage to contain the Oracle Database installation, has a display monitor, and has a media drive.

This section describes how to install Oracle Database on computers that do not meet the typical scenario. It covers the following topics:

You can install Oracle Database on a computer that has multiple IP addresses, also known as a multihomed computer. Typically, a multihomed computer has multiple network cards. Each IP address is associated with a host name; additionally, you can set up aliases for the host name. By default, Oracle Universal Installer uses the ORACLE_HOSTNAME environment variable setting to find the host name.

Clients must be able to access the computer using this host name, or using aliases for this host name. To check, ping the host name from the client computers using the short name (host name only) and the full name (host name and domain name). Both must work.

Setting the ORACLE_HOSTNAME Environment Variable

To set the ORACLE_HOSTNAME environment variable:

Display System in the Windows Control Panel.

In the System Properties dialog box, click Advanced.

In the Advanced tab, click Environment Variables.

In the Environment Variables dialog box, under System Variables, click New.

In the New System Variable dialog box, enter the following information:

Variable name: ORACLE_HOSTNAME

Variable value: The host name of the computer to use.

Click OK, then in the Environment Variables dialog box, click OK.

Click OK in the Environment Variables dialog box, then in the System Properties dialog box, click OK.

2.6.2 Installing Oracle Database on Computers with Multiple Aliases

A computer with multiple aliases is registered with the naming service under a single IP address but with multiple aliases. The naming service resolves any of those aliases to the same computer. Before installing Oracle Database on such a computer, set the ORACLE_HOSTNAME environment variable to the computer whose host name you want to use.

2.6.3 Installing Oracle Database on Nonnetworked Computers

You can install Oracle Database on a non-networked computer. If the computer, such as a laptop, is configured for DHCP and you plan to connect the computer to the network after the Oracle Database installation, perform these steps before you install Oracle Database on the non-networked computer.

Install a loopback adapter on the computer.

The loopback adapter and local IP address simulate a networked computer. If you connect the computer to the network, Oracle Database still uses the local IP address and host name.

Ping the computer from itself, using only the host name and using the fully qualified name, which should be in the DRIVE_LETTER:\system32\drivers\etc\hosts file.

For example, if you installed a loopback adapter on a computer called mycomputer on the mydomain.com domain, check the following:

DRIVE_LETTER:\>ping mycomputer Ping itself using just the hostname.
Reply from 10.10.10.10 Returns local IP.DRIVE_LETTER:\>ping mycomputer.mydomain.com Ping using a fully qualified name.
Reply from 10.10.10.10 Returns local IP.

Note:

When you ping a computer from itself, the ping command should return the local IP address (the IP address of the loopback adapter).

If the ping command fails, contact your network administrator.

Connecting the Computer to the Network after Installation

If you connect the computer to a network after installation, the Oracle Database instance on your computer can work with other instances on the network. Remember that you must have installed a loopback adapter on your computer. Your computer can use a static IP or DHCP, depending on the network to which you are connected.

2.6.4 Installing a Loopback Adapter

When you install a loopback adapter, the loopback adapter assigns a local IP address for your computer. After the loopback adapter is installed, there are at least two network adapters on your computer: your own network adapter and the loopback adapter. To run Oracle Database on Windows, set the loopback adapter as the primary adapter.

You can change the bind order for the adapters without reinstalling the loopback adapter. The bind order of the adapters to the protocol indicates the order in which the adapters are used. When the loopback adapter is used first for the TCP/IP protocol, all programs that access TCP/IP first probe the loopback adapter. The local address is used for tools, such as Oracle Enterprise Manager. Any other applications that use a different Ethernet segment are routed to the network card.

A loopback adapter is required if:

You are installing on a DHCP computer, or

You are installing on a non-networked computer and plan to connect the computer to a network after installation.

Open System in the Control Panel, and select the Computer Name tab. In Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, the Computer Name tab is not available. In Full computer name, make sure you see the host name and the domain name, for example, sales.us.example.com.

Click Change. In Computer name, you should see the host name, and in Full computer name, you should see the host name and domain name. Using the previous example, the host name would be sales and the domain would be us.example.com.

Click More. In Primary DNS suffix of this computer, you should see the domain name, for example, us.example.com.

This section describes the storage options for storing Oracle data files and, optionally, Oracle database recovery files. After you choose the storage method to use for each file type, use the following sections to configure the required storage:

2.7.1.1 Choosing a Storage Option for Oracle Data Files

If you want to create a database during the installation, you must choose one of the following storage options for the data files:

File system

Oracle Automatic Storage Management

The database files must be placed on Oracle ASM if using Oracle ACFS; otherwise they can be placed on NTFS.

2.7.1.2 Choosing a Storage Option for Oracle Database Recovery Files

If you want to enable automated backups during the installation, you must choose one of the following storage options for recovery files (the fast recovery area):

File system

Oracle Automatic Storage Management

The storage option that you choose for recovery files can be the same as or different to the option you choose for the data files. The recovery files must be placed on Oracle ASM if using Oracle ACFS; otherwise they can be placed on NTFS.

2.7.1.3 Configuring Disk Storage

For more information about these options, see the "Database Storage Options" section. For information about how to configure disk storage before you start the installation, see one of the following sections depending on your choice:

2.7.2.1 Guidelines for Placing Oracle Data Files on a File System

You can choose either a single file system or multiple file systems to store the data files:

If you want to use a single file system, then choose a file system on a physical device that is dedicated to the database.

For best performance and reliability, choose a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) device or a logical volume on multiple physical devices and implement the stripe and mirror everything (SAME) methodology.

If you want to use multiple file systems, then choose file systems on separate physical devices that are dedicated to the database.

Select this method to distribute physical I/O and create separate control files on different devices for increased reliability. You must choose the Advanced database creation option during the installation to implement this method.

If you intend to create a preconfigured database during the installation, then the file system (or file systems) that you choose must have at least 950 MB of free disk space.

For production databases, you must estimate the disk space requirement depending how you plan to use database.

For optimum performance, the file systems that you choose should be on physical devices that are used only by the database.

The default location suggested by Oracle Universal Installer for the database file directory is a subdirectory of the Oracle base directory. However, this default location is not recommended for production databases.

2.7.2.2 Guidelines for Placing Oracle Recovery Files on a File System

Note:

You must choose a location for recovery files only if you intend to enable automated backups during the installation.

If you place the Oracle recovery files on a file system, use the following guidelines when deciding where to place them:

To prevent disk failure from making both the data files and the recovery files unavailable, place the recovery files in a file system on a different physical disk from the data files.

Note:

Alternatively, for both data files and recovery files, use an Oracle Automatic Storage Management disk group.

The file system that you choose should have at least 2 GB of free disk space.

The disk space requirement is the default disk quota configured for the fast recovery area (specified by the DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST_SIZE initialization parameter).

If you choose the Advanced database configuration option, you can specify a different disk quota value. After you create the database, you can also use Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control or Database Control to specify a different value.

The default location suggested by Oracle Universal Installer for the database file directory is a subdirectory of the Oracle base directory. However, this default location is not recommended for production databases.

2.7.2.3 Creating Required Directories

Note:

You must complete this procedure only to place the Oracle database or recovery files on a separate file system from the Oracle base directory.

To create directories for the Oracle database or recovery files on separate file systems from the Oracle base directory, follow these steps:

Use Windows Explorer to determine the free disk space on the file system.

From the display, identify the file systems to use:

File Type

File System Requirements

Data files

Choose either:

A single file system with at least 950 MB of free disk space.

Two or more file systems with at least 950 MB of free disk space in total.

Recovery files

Choose a file system with at least 2 GB of free disk space.

If you are using the same file system for multiple types of files, then add the disk space requirements for each type to determine the total disk space requirement.

Note the names of the directories for the file systems that you identified.

2.7.3 Stopping Existing Oracle Services

Note:

If you are installing additional Oracle Database 11g products in an existing Oracle home, then stop all processes running in the Oracle home. You must complete this task because you cannot overwrite files that are used by the running processes.

Consider the following before you install Oracle Grid Infrastructure or Oracle Database:

If you plan to use Oracle Restart, you must install the Oracle Grid Infrastructure before you install and create the database. When you perform a database installation, the database must use the same listener created during the Oracle Grid Infrastructure installation, thereafter you do not have to perform the steps listed in this section.

The default listener and any additional listeners must run from the Oracle Grid Infrastructure home.

If you choose to create a database during the installation, then most installation types configure and start a default Oracle Net listener using TCP/IP port 1521 and the IPC key value EXTPROC. However, if an existing Oracle Net listener process is using the same port or key value, Oracle Universal Installer looks for the next available free port (for example, 1522) and configures and starts the new listener on this available free port.

2.7.4 Oracle Database Security Strong Authentication Requirements

Ensure that you meet the hardware and software requirements so that you can use strong authentication (Kerberos, PKI) with Oracle Database.

2.7.5 Oracle Enterprise Manager Requirements

All Oracle Enterprise Manager products must belong to the same release. Older versions of Enterprise Manager are not supported with the new release.

Note:

All Oracle Enterprise Manager products, except Oracle Enterprise Manager Database Control, are released on the Enterprise Manager Grid Control installation media. Enterprise Manager Database Control is available on the Oracle Database installation media.

2.7.6 Oracle-Managed Files Requirements

If you choose the Advanced database creation option, you can use the Oracle-managed files feature with the new database. If you use this feature, you need only specify the database object name instead of file names when creating or deleting database files. Configuration procedures are required to enable Oracle Managed Files.

2.7.8 Oracle Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Writer

Oracle Volume Shadow Copy Service Writer is supported on Windows Server operating systems. On Windows Server 2003 without Service Pack 1, you can have only one database on the system. With Service Pack 1 or higher, you can have multiple Oracle databases on the system.

2.7.9 Preinstallation Requirement for Oracle Database Vault

If you want to install Oracle Database Vault, then set the DB_BLOCK_SIZE initialization parameter to 4096 or larger. If the value is less than 4096, then you cannot change it. The only way to change the DB_BLOCK_SIZE value is by re-creating the database.